Self-aligning edge stitching apparatus for traveling webs

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for stitching a traveling web along the longitudinal side edges thereof, characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, and including the following components. A first longitudinal edge stitching mechanism is mounted for lateral movement with respect to the web and is responsive to an edge sensing means sensing the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the moving web to insure that the first stitching mechanism is always in proper stitching position with respect to the first longitudinal edge of the moving web. A stationary, second longitudinal edge stitching mechanism is provided along with related laterally shiftable web guide means controlled by an edge sensing means sensing the lateral position of the second longitudinal side edge of the moving web to insure that the second longitudinal side edge is always in proper stitching position with respect to the second stitching mechanism.

[451 Dec. 18, 1973 1 SELF-ALIGNING EDGE STITCHING APPARATUS FOR TRAVELING WEBS Richard K. Teed, Greenwood, SC.

[73] Assignee: Riegel Textile Corporation, Ware Shoals, SC.

22 Filed: Aug. 26, 1969 21 1 App]. No.: 853,224

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl l12/l2l.l4, 112/203, 112/D1G. 2,

91/3 [51] Int. Cl D05b 19/00 [58] Field oiSearch 112/2, 121.11, 121.12,

1l2/l2l.l4, 121.15, 10, DIG. 2, 203, 262; 242/57.1; 226/17-20; 91/3; 137/815 Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Attorney-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park and Gibson [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for stitching a traveling web along the longitudinal side edges thereof, characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, and including the following components. A first longitudinal edge stitching mechanism is mounted for lateral movement with respect to the web and is responsive to an edge sensing means sensing the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the moving web to insure that the first stitching mechanism is always in proper stitching position with respect to the first longitudinal edge of the moving web. A stationary, second longitudinal edge stitching mechanism is provided along with related laterally shiftable web guide means controlled by an edge sensing means sensing the lateral position of the second longitudinal side edge of the moving web to insure that the second longitudinal side edge is always in proper stitching position with respect to the second stitching mechanism.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU DEC 18 I975 SHEET 1 BF 2 m M K M, 4 A R w W. M 5 Z ATTORNEYS SELF-ALIGNING EDGE STITCHING APPARATUS FOR TRAVELING WEBS This invention relates to self-aligning edge stitching apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along at least one longitudinal side edge thereof and which is characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web.

In the manufacture of various products from elongate webs, such as textile fabric and the like, it is frequently desirable to stitch the elongate web or superimposed elongate webs along one or both longitudinal side edges thereof with any type of stitching, such as overedge stitching or straight chain stitching, etc. With such stitching operations, there have long been problems of maintaining the moving longitudinal edges of the web being stitched in proper stitching alignment with stitching mechanisms or sewing machines mounted adjacent each longitudinal edge thereof. This is particularly true inasmuch as the traveling elongate webs tend to laterally shift in a transverse direction or from side to side causing the longitudinal edges thereof to misalign themselves with the sewing machines. Also, variations in the width of the moving web along different portions thereof cause misalignment of the longitudinal edges with the sewing machines.

Various attempts have been made to overcome these problems; however, none have proved entirely satisfactory. Often, edge trimming mechanisms have been used in conjunction with the sewing machines and the sewing machines and edge trimming mechanisms mounted sufficiently inwardly of the longitudinal side edges of the moving web such that a portion of the moving web will be trimmed along each longitudinal side edge and a line of stitches inserted along the cut edges. This necessitated a web of greater width than ultimately desired and resulted in a waste of material, etc., due to the trimming required.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a self-aligning edge stitching apparatus characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web.

It has been found by this invention that the above object may be accomplished by providing an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along at least one longitudinal side edge thereof comprising means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction, stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching one longitudinal edge thereof, reciprocating means operatively associated with the stitching means for laterally moving the stitching means relative to the web, and edge sensing means operatively associated with the reciprocating means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web for actuating the reciprocating means to laterally shift the stitching means to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web and insure that the stitching means in always in proper position with the one longitudinal side edge.

Preferably and when it is desired to apply a line of stitching along the other longitudinal side edge of the traveling web, the above described apparatus includes second stitching means mounted stationary adjacent the longitudinally moving web for stitching the second longitudinal edge thereof, laterally shiftable guide means forming part of the web advancing means, second reciprocating means operatively associated with the web guide means for laterally moving the web guide means relative to the web, and second edge sensing means operatively associated with the second reciprocating means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web for actuating the second reciprocating means to laterally shift the web guide means and the traveling web to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web and insure that the second longitudinal edge of the web is always in proper stitching position with the second stitching means.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a stitching apparatus in accordance with the present invention having an elongate web advancing therethrough along a predetermined path;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of arrow 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view, broken away, of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a combined schematic and diagrammatic view with parts in section of the pneumatic controls of the apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein the left-hand portion illustrates the controls for the stitching mechanism in the left-hand portion of FIG. 1 and the right-hand portion illustrates the controls for shifting the elongate web relative to the stitching mechanism in the righthand portion of FIG. 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters are used to indicate like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 an elongate web 10 having first and second longitudinal side edges 12 and 14 and being advanced along a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction through the improved apparatus of the present invention.

As illustrated, the elongate web 10 is drawn from any conventional source such as a supply roll (not shown) and is advanced between nip guide rolls 21 and 22 over feed and guide rolls 23, 24 and 25, as indicated by the arrows, to any conventional collection such as a takeup roll (not shown). The feed and guide rolls are continuously driven by any conventional driving means (not shown) and may be supported in position by any convenient frame means (not shown).

Adjacent the first longitudinal side edge 12 of the advancing web 10 is a stationary support member 30 carried or mounted in position in any suitable manner. The support member 30 slidably carries a carriage 31 for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the first longitudinal side edge 12 of the traveling web 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the stationary support member 30 comprises a substantially flat, generally rectangular, horizontally disposed plate having an ear portion 30a extending inwardly toward and beneath the traveling web 10.

The carriage 31 comprises a similar horizontally disposed plate mounted for sliding engagement on support member 30 and has a recessed portion 31a (FIG. 2) on the side adjacent support member 30 to minimize the sliding frictional forces therebetween. The carriage 31 has a plurality of aligned elongated slots 32 (FIG. 3) disposed therein and extending transverse to the path of travel of web 10. Bolts 33 carried by a mounting bar 34 are disposed through slots 32 and are threaded into mating apertures in support member 30 (FIG. 2) to mount the carriage 31 thereon for sliding reciprocating linear movement in a lateral direction with respect to web 10.

A double-acting, fluid-operated piston and cylinder assembly 35 is mounted on the ear portion 30a of stationary support member 30 with the cylinder 36 secured thereto. The free end of reciprocating piston 37 is suitably connected to the carriage 31 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 whereby the reciprocating piston 37 laterally shifts the carriage 31 relative to the web 10.

A first stitching mechanism 40 of conventional construction and driven in any suitable manner is mounted on carriage 31 for movement therewith adjacent the first longitudinal side edge 12 of the moving Web with the sewing head 41 disposed for stitching along the first longitudinal side edge 12. It will be readily apparent that the reciprocating piston 37 of the piston and cylinder assembly 35 laterally shifts carriage 31 and the first stitching mechanism 40 carried thereby laterally of the first longitudinal side edge 12 of traveling web 10.

In order for the first stitching mechanism 40 to compensate for lateral shifting and variations in the width of the web 10 or any other deviations of the first longitudinal side edge 12 from the prescribed stitching relation to the stitching mechanism 40, a first edge sensing device 50 is operatively associated with the first longitudinal side edge 12. The edge sensing device 50 is responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal side edge 12 and actuates the piston and cylinder assembly 35 to laterally shift the first stitching mechanism 40 to compensate for the deviations sensed by the edge sensing device 50 and insures that the sewing head 41 of the first stitching mechanism 40 is always in proper stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge 12.

More particularly, the first edge sensing device 50 includes a sensing head 51 mounted on carriage 31 for movement therewith ahead of the first stitching mechanism 40. The sensing head 51 is generally C-shaped and includes a pair of leg portions 52, 53 extending on opposite sides of the first longitudinal side edge 12 of web 10. Each of the leg portions 52, 53 have orifices in registry with each other so that the center of the orifices may be aligned with the first longitudinal side edge 12 of the web 10 as illustrated in the left-hand portion of FIG. 4. An air compressor 54 driven by motor M supplies low pressure air through conduits 55, 56 and 57 to the orifice in the lower leg portion 51. The air is blown between the leg portions 52, 53 to the other orifice where some of the air pressure is recovered and fed into conduit 58 which communicates with a pneumatic control unit.

The pneumatic control unit includes a housing 61 having a pneumatic diaphragm 62 disposed therein dividing the housing into two portions. The pneumatic diaphragm 62 is normally maintained in a balanced condition, as shown in FIG. 4, by equally opposing forces on opposite sides thereof. More particularly, the recovery pressure in conduit 58 coupled with a biasing force of an adjustable spring 63 balance an opposing force of high pressure from a conduit 64 to the other side of diaphragm 62. It will be noted that any deviation of the first longitudinal side edge 12 from the aligned position will cause an upset in the balance of diaphragm 62, displacing the diaphragm 62, either to the right or the left as viewed in FIG. 4.

The housing 61 includes a fluid control valve 65 operatively associated with the high pressure side of diaphragm 62 by having the stem 65a thereof connected to the diaphragm 62. The control valve 65 is responsive to displacements of the diaphragm 62 f0 actuating the piston and cylinder assembly 35 to laterally shift carriage 31 to maintain the stitching mechanism 40 in proper stitching position relative to the first longitudinal side edge 12 of web 10. For instance, should the first longitudinal side edge 12 deviate inwardly or to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4, to uncover the recovery orifice in leg portion 53, maximum recovery pressure will be transmitted through conduit 58 to displace diaphragm 62 and the valve stem 65a to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4. Hydraulic fluid, supplied under pressure from reservoir 66 by pump 67 through conduit 68 to valve 65, will flow therethrough and into conduit 69 to one side of double-acting, fluid-operated piston and cylinder assembly 35 to move the piston 37 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4, to shift the carriage 31 laterally toward the web 10. The carriage 31 will be shifted laterally toward the web 10 until the stitching mechanism 40 is brought into proper stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge 12 of the web 10 which places the edge 12 in proper balancing alignment between the orifices of the leg portions 52, 53 of edge sensing head 51.

Similarly, should the first longitudinal side edge 12 deviate to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, to cover the recovery orifice in leg portion 53, minimum recovery pressure will be transmitted through conduit 58 to dis place diaphragm 62 and the valve stem 65a to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. Hydraulic fluid supplied under pressure through conduit 68 to valve 65 will then flow through a conduit 70 to the other side of double-acting piston and cylinder assembly 35 to move the piston 37 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, to shift carriage 31 and stitching mechanism 40 laterally away from the web 10. Thus, as before, the stitching mechanism 40 and edge sensing head 51 will be shifted until the stitching mechanism 40 is brought into proper stitching position and the first longitudinal side edge 12 of web 10 is properly aligned between the orifices of the leg portions 52, 53 of edge sensing head 51. In either instance, during the supply of hydraulic fluid to the piston and cylinder assembly 35, fluid is exhausted from air cylinder 36 through either conduit 69 or 70, valve 65, and a conduit 71 to the reservoir 66.

It will be noted in FIGS. 2 and 3 that the sensing head 51 is adjustably mounted on carriage 31 through interconnecting adjustable links 72, 73 and 74 for adjustment laterally of web 10 relative to stitching mechanism 40 and vertically relative to stitching mechanism 40. By laterally shifting the edge sensing head 51 relative to the stitching mechanism 41), the stitching position of the stitching mechanism 40 with the first longitudinal side edge 12 may be adjusted. Similarly, by the sensing head 51 being vertically adjustable, it may be properly aligned with the first longitudinal side edge 12 to compensate for any sag or the like in the web 10. In addition, the sensing head 51 may be positioned with the web centered between leg portions 52, 53 to render the first edge sensing device..50 most efficient.

Accordingly, the elongate traveling web may be stitched along the first longitudinal side edge 12 with the stitching mechanism 40 laterally shifting to compensate for any deviations of the first longitudinal side edge 12 from a prescribed relation to the stitching mechanism 40 such as from lateral shifting of web 10 and variations in the width of web 10.

A second stitching mechanism 80 is mounted stationary by any suitable means (not shown) adjacent the second longitudinal side edge 14 of the moving web 10 subsequent to the web having advanced between the nip guide rolls 21 and 22 with the sewing head 81 in stitching position with the second longitudinal side edge 14. In order to insure that the second longitudinal edge 14 of the web 10 is always in proper stitching position with the second stitching mechanism 80, the nip guide rolls 21 and 22 are mounted for lateral movement relative to the direction of travel of web 10 by any suitable support structure and are thereby adapted to laterally shift the advancing web 10 in response to deviations of the second longitudinal side edge 14 from a prescribed stitching position relative to the second stitching mechanism 80.

Movement of the nip guide rolls 21 and 22 is controlled by a second double-acting, fluid-operated piston and cylinder assembly 90 including a reciprocating piston 92 operatively connected with one end of nip guide rolls 21 and 22. A second edge sensing device, which as illustrated, is of the same construction as the first edge sensing device and for purposes of distinction, the parts thereof will be given similar reference characters with a prime notation. The second edge sensing device generally indicated at 50' is responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal side edge 14 and actuates the piston and cylinder assembly 90 to laterally shift nip guide rolls 21 and 22 and thus traveling web 10 to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge 14 of the web 10.

In particular, the double-acting, fluid-operated cylinder 91 is mounted stationary by any suitable support structure (not shown) adjacent to and in alignment with nip guide rolls 21 and 22 with the reciprocating piston 92 having the free end thereof suitably connected by a suitable plate or otherwise to one end of each of nip guide rolls 21 and 22 for laterally shifting nip guide rolls 21 and 22 and the traveling web 10 relative to the direction of travel of web 10. The forward stroke of reciprocating piston 92 laterally shifts the traveling web 10 away from the stitching mechanism 80 and the return stroke of reciprocating piston 92 laterally shifts the traveling web 10 toward the stitching mechanism 80.

The actuation of the piston and cylinder assembly 90 is controlled by the second edge sensing device 50. The sensing head 51 thereof is mounted stationary by any suitable support structure (not shown) adjacent the second longitudinal side edge 14 with leg portions 52' and 53' extending on opposite sides of the second longitudinal side edge 14. The orifices in leg portions 52 and 53' are positioned relative to the stitching mechanism 80 such that when the second longitudinal side edge 14 is aligned midway between the orifices, the second longitudinal side edge 14 is in proper stitching position with the second stitching mechanism 80.

As schematically illustrated in the right-hand portion of FIG. 4, should the second longitudinal edge 14 of the web 10 deviate to the left to uncover the recovery orifice in leg portion 53', maximum recovery pressure will be transmitted through conduit 58' to displace diaphragm 62 and the valve stem 65a. Hydraulic fluid will be supplied through conduit 68' to valve 65' and flow therethrough to conduit 69' and to one side of piston and cylinder assembly 90 which shifts nip guide rolls 21 and 22 and traveling web 10 laterally toward the second stitching mechanism 80 or to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. The web 10 will be shifted until the second longitudinal side edge 14 is brought into proper stitching position and is properly aligned midway between the orifices of the leg portions 52' and 53 of edge sensing head 51'.

Similarly, should the second longitudinal edge 14 of web 10 deviate to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4, to cover the recovery orifice in leg portion 53, minimum recovery pressure will be transmitted through conduit 58 to displace diaphragm 62' and the valve stem 65a. Hydraulic fluid supplied through conduit 68' to valve 65 will then flow through conduit to the other side of piston and cylinder 90 to shift nip guide rolls 21 and 22 and traveling web 10 laterally away from the second stitching mechanism or to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4. Thus, the web 10 will be shifted until the second longitudinal side edge 14 is brought into proper stitching position with the second stitching mechanism and is properly aligned midway between the orifices of leg portions 52 and 53 ofedge sensing head 51'. In either instance, during the supply of hydraulic fluid to cylinder 91, fluid is exhausted from cylinder 91 through either conduit 69' or 70, valve 65 and conduit 71 to the reservoir 66.

As illustrated, the compressed air and hydraulic fluid for each of the edge sensing devices 50 and 50' and the piston and cylinder assemblies 35 and are supplied from common sources 54 and 66, respectively, by a common motor M.

Thus, it may be seen that the above described apparatus has provided a practical mechanism for stitching a traveling web along one or both of the longitudinal side edges thereof and which will compensate for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along at least one longitudinal side edge thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of,

means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction,

stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching one longitudinal edge thereof,

reciprocating means operatively associated with said stitching means for laterally moving said stitching means relative to the web, said reciprocating means comprising a stationary support means, a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web and carrying said stitching means thereon for movement therewith, a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connected to said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage means, and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby, and

edge sensing means operatively connected with said fluid control means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby to compensate for the deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web and insure that said stitching means is always in proper stitching position with the one longitudinal side edge, said edge sensing means being carried by said carriage means and being laterally movable therewith, and said edge sensing means being adjustable relative to said stitching means laterally of the web whereby the stitching position of the stitching means with the one longitudinal side edge of the web may be adjusted.

2. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along each of the longitudinal side edges thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of,

means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction including laterally shiftable guide means,

first stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching a first longitudinal edge thereof,

first reciprocating means operatively associated with said first stitching means for laterally moving said first stitching means relative to the web,

first edge sensing means operatively associated with said first reciprocating means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web for actuating said reciprocating means to laterally shift said first stitching means to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web and insure that said first stitching means is always in proper stitching position with said first longitudinal side edge,

second stitching means mounted stationary adjacent the longitudinally moving web for stitching the second longitudinal edge thereof,

second reciprocating means operatively associated with said guide means for laterally moving said guide means relative to the web, and

second edge sensing means operatively associated with said second reciprocating means and being reponsive to deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web for actuating said second reciprocating means to laterally shift said guide means and the traveling web to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web and insure that the second longitudinal edge of the web is always in proper stitching position with said second stitching means.

3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of cooperating nip rolls through which the web is advanced.

4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second reciprocating means for laterally shifting said nip rolls comprises a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means connected to said nip rolls, and

fluid control means responsive to said second sensing means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said nip rolls and the traveling web to maintain the second longitudinal edge of the traveling web in stitching position with said second stitching means.

5. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first reciprocating means comprises a stationary support means,

a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web, said first stitching means being mounted on said carriage means for movement therewith, and

means operatively connected between said support means and said carriage means and being actuated by said first edge sensing means for laterally shifting said carriage and said stitching means carried thereby to maintain said stitching means in stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge of the web.

6. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said means for laterally shifting said carriage comprises a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connectedto said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage, and

fluid control means responsive to said first edge sensing means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage and said first stitching means carried thereby to maintain said first stitching means in stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge of the web.

7. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said edge sensing means is carried by said carriage means and is laterally movable therewith and wherein said edge sensing means is adjustable relative to said stitching means laterally of the web whereby the stitching position of the stitching means with the one longitudinal side edge of the web may be adjusted.

8. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along each of the longitudinal side edges thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of,

means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction including a pair of laterally shiftable nip roll guide means,

first stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching a first longitudinal side edge thereof,

first reciprocating operatively associated with said first stitching means for laterally moving said first stitching means relative to the web, said first reciprocating means comprising a stationary support means, a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web and carrying said first stitching means thereon for movement therewith, a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connected to said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage means, and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said first stitching means carried thereby,

first edge sensing means operatively associated with said fluid control means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said first stitching means carried thereby to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web and insure that said first stitching means is always in proper stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge,

second stitching means mounted stationary adjacent the longitudinally moving web for stitching the second longitudinal edge thereof,

second reciprocating means operatively associated with said nip roll guide means for laterally moving said nip roll guide means relative to the web, said second reciprocating means comprising a doubleacting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means connected to said nip roll guide means and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said nip roll guide means and the traveling web, and

second edge sensing means operatively connected with said fluid control means of said second reciprocating means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said nip roll guide means and the traveling web to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web and insure that the second longitudinal edge of the web is always in proper stitching position with said second stitching means.

9. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along at least one longitudinal side edge thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction,

stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching one longitudinal edge thereof,

reciprocating means operatively associated with said stitching means for laterally moving said stitching means relative to the web, said reciprocating means comprising a stationary support means, a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web and carrying said stitching means thereon for movement therewith, a doubleacting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connected to said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage means, and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby, and

edge sensing means operatively connected with said fluid control means and being responsive to devia tions in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby to compensate for the deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web and ensure that said stitching means is always maintained in proper stitching position with the one longitudinal side edge. 

1. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along at least one longitudinal side edge thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of, means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction, stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching one longitudinal edge thereof, reciprocating means operatively associated with said stitching means for laterally moving said stitching means relative to the web, said reciprocating means comprising a stationary support means, a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web and carrying said stitching means thereon for movement therewith, a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connected to said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage means, and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby, and edge sensing means operatively connected with said fluid control means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby to compensate for the deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web and insure that said stitching means is always in proper stitching position with the one longitudinal side edge, said edge sensing means being carried by said carriage means and being laterally movable therewith, and said edge sensing means being adjustable relative to said stitching means laterally of the web whereby the stitching position of the stitching means with the one longitudinal side edge of the web may be adjusted.
 2. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along each of the longitudinal side edges thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of, means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction including laterally shiftable guide means, first stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching a first longitudinal edge thereof, first reciprocating means operatively associated with said first stitching means for laterally moving said first stitching means relative to the web, first edge sensing means operatively associated with said first reciprocating means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web for actuating said reciprocating means to laterally shift said first stitching means to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web and insure that said first stitching means is always in proper stitching position with said first longitudinal side edge, second stitching means mounted stationary adjacent the longitudinally moving web for stitching the second longitudinal edge thereof, second reciprocating means operatively associated with said guide means for laterally moving said guide means relative to the web, and second edge sensing means operatively associated with said second reciprocating means and being reponsive to deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web for actuating said second reciprocating means to laterally shift said guide means and the traveling web to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web and insure that the second longitudinal edge of the web is always in proper stitching position with said second stitching means.
 3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of cooperating nip rolls through which the web is advanced.
 4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second reciprocating means for laterally shifting said nip rolls comprises a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means connected to said nip rolls, and fluid control means responsive to said second sensing means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said nip rolls and the traveling web to maintain the second longitudinal edge of the traveling web in stitching position with said second stitching means.
 5. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first reciprocating means comprises a stationary support means, a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web, said first stitching means being mounted on said carriage means for movement therewith, and means operatively connected between said support means and said carriage means and being actuated by said first edge sensing means for laterally shifting said carriage and said stitching means carried thereby to maintain said stitching means in stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge of the web.
 6. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said means for laterally shifting said carriage comprises a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connected to said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage, and fluid control means responsive to said first edge sensing means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage and said first stitching means carried thereby to maintain said first stitching means in stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge of the web.
 7. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said edge sensing means is carried by said Carriage means and is laterally movable therewith and wherein said edge sensing means is adjustable relative to said stitching means laterally of the web whereby the stitching position of the stitching means with the one longitudinal side edge of the web may be adjusted.
 8. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along each of the longitudinal side edges thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of, means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction including a pair of laterally shiftable nip roll guide means, first stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching a first longitudinal side edge thereof, first reciprocating operatively associated with said first stitching means for laterally moving said first stitching means relative to the web, said first reciprocating means comprising a stationary support means, a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web and carrying said first stitching means thereon for movement therewith, a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connected to said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage means, and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said first stitching means carried thereby, first edge sensing means operatively associated with said fluid control means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said first stitching means carried thereby to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the first longitudinal edge of the web and insure that said first stitching means is always in proper stitching position with the first longitudinal side edge, second stitching means mounted stationary adjacent the longitudinally moving web for stitching the second longitudinal edge thereof, second reciprocating means operatively associated with said nip roll guide means for laterally moving said nip roll guide means relative to the web, said second reciprocating means comprising a double-acting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means connected to said nip roll guide means and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said nip roll guide means and the traveling web, and second edge sensing means operatively connected with said fluid control means of said second reciprocating means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said nip roll guide means and the traveling web to compensate for deviations in the lateral position of the second longitudinal edge of the web and insure that the second longitudinal edge of the web is always in proper stitching position with said second stitching means.
 9. In an apparatus for stitching a traveling, elongate web along at least one longitudinal side edge thereof and being characterized by compensating for lateral shifting of the web and for variations in the width of the web, the combination of means for advancing the web in a predetermined path of travel in a longitudinal direction, stitching means mounted adjacent the longitudinally moving web for lateral movement with respect to the web and for stitching one longitudinal edge thereof, reciprocating means operatively associated with said stitching means for laterally moving said stitching means relative to the web, said reciprocating means comprising a stationary support means, a carriage means mounted on said support means for reciprocating linear movement thereon in a lateral direction with respect to the web and carrying said stitching means thereon for movement therewith, a doubleacting, fluid operated piston and cylinder means mounted on said stationary support means and connected to said carriage means for laterally shifting said carriage means, and fluid control means for actuating said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby, and edge sensing means operatively connected with said fluid control means and being responsive to deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web for operating said fluid control means to actuate said piston and cylinder means to laterally shift said carriage means and said stitching means carried thereby to compensate for the deviations in the lateral position of the one longitudinal edge of the web and ensure that said stitching means is always maintained in proper stitching position with the one longitudinal side edge. 